John Cabot
Voyages of discovery
Under Royal commission, in 1497 Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot) and his crew set out from Bristol in the little wooden ship “The Matthew” seeking an alternative sea route to the east for spice trading.
Sailing west, they discovered Newfoundland, the North American continent, and the rich North Atlantic cod fishing grounds.
This extraordinary adventure is celebrated in the church by a whalebone, brought back by Cabot, a fine model of the Matthew (above the north door) and a stained glass window showing John, three of his sons who sailed with him, and their brave little ship.
The Matthew
A model of Cabot's ship which can be foud above the interior of the entrance from the inner North Porch.
Cabot's whalebone
The whalebone, reputedly brought back from Cabot's 1497 voyage, can be seen in St John's Chapel.
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Preached by Canon Dr Stephen Spencer
Preached by the Revd Simon Goodman
I'm Beth, Life Event Coordinator. Over the past few months, we have been busy with baptisms, weddings and funerals. From small wedding blessings with only a couple and a priest present to large affairs with over 300 guests we feel glad to have supported people during key moments in their lives. I've noticed that life event services need cooperation from the whole team at St. Mary's: Cleaners keeping the church spotless; Clergy and Vergers running a seamless service on the day; talented Musicians providing deeply moving music; the Events team rearranging schedules and tours to fit services in the diary; much admin preparation before the day; careful diligence from our Finance Manager to ensure every penny of donations are sent to families charity of choice. The love and care put in by the team here is apparent to me and hopefully reassures you that St. Mary's will be here for you in both the highlights and hard times that you face. Beth Herbert
Kingdoms of Europe card game, circa 1895 Jaques & Son, 102 Hatton Garden, London
Preached by the Revd Dr Brutus Green
Preached by Canon Dr Stephen Spencer
